HSE ‘Little Things’ campaign costs approximately €4.2 million over four years

The campaign was expected to have cost approximately €730,000 in total for 2017, according to figures supplied to this newspaper at the end of last month.

This figure covers media placement for the year, campaign evaluation, promotional and creative materials.

The HSE spent over €1.18 million on the campaign in 2016, €1.43 million in 2015 and €895,676 in 2014.

‘Little Things’ was launched in October 2014.

“There are plans to continue the campaign in 2018; detailed planning and funding amounts for 2018 HSE campaigns are currently being finalised,” an Executive spokesperson told the <strong><em>Medical Independent</em></strong> (<strong><em>MI</em></strong>).

“The campaign, developed in conjunction with mental health experts, showcases a selection of the #littlethings that are proven to protect and help recover good mental health and wellbeing,” said the HSE spokesperson.

“[Things] like keeping active, talking about problems, connecting with others going through difficult times, drinking less alcohol, eating and sleeping well.”

A dedicated online information resource, www.yourmentalhealth.ie, was developed as part of the campaign, with the support of National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) and 35 funded partner organisations. 

According to the spokesperson, since the campaign began in late 2014 the aforementioned website has received more than 600,000 visitors, with over 1.6 million page views. Approximately, 60,000 people have liked the Facebook page and the campaign has more than 8,000 followers on Twitter.

“There has been approximately a 30 per cent increase in calls to the Samaritans’ free-to-call 116 123 helpline,” they added.

The ‘Little Things’ campaign addresses key objectives within Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide, “and it is expected that a version of the campaign will continue in line with that strategy until at least 2020”, said the HSE spokesperson.